43 Interrogation (2/2)

”Are they too tight?”

”Yes. Open them.” The man said, thinking that they will unbound the shackles. But to his disappointment, he felt no movement around him. Curious, he opened his eyes only to find two men and a woman glaring at his direction. They were none other than the Retired General, Brad and Lisa.

”Why do you think we will open them?” Lisa asked, her arms crossed over her chest, which heaved with her long steady breaths.

”...” He was speechless. The man tied on the chair was none other than the Dean of Bronx Community College.

”You have 5 minutes to decide whether you will shield the enemy or come off clean to us. And the time starts now.” Saying that, the General, Mr. Cori Lambert placed a timer in front of the Dean, Mr. Collen.

He did not say anything else. Instead he took his cigar out and placed it in between his teeth before lighting it. He leaned lazily on the chair and rested his right hand at the back of the chair before taking a long drag from the cigar. He puffed out the smoke which rose in circles towards the ceiling before vanishing into nothingness. He continued the process till the cigar reached the bottom.

”So, what's your decision?” He put out the cigar, before throwing it away in the corner of the room.

”I… I…” His voice sounded so raspy and different.

Mr. Lambert poured some water into a glass before he said, ”Open your mouth.” He placed the glass directly above his mouth before pouring water constantly, even before Mr. Collen could gulp it down.

His jaw was pressed into a hard line before he questioned again, ”Decision?”

”Kill me if you want to. But I would never tell you anything.” Franklin Collen said stubbornly.

”Do you think that I brought you here to let you die? No one died if I didn't want them to. And, you had to be on my black book.” Saying that he fished out a black notebook and a pen from his coat's pocket. He placed the cap of the pen in between his lids to open it before scribbling something on the notebook.

Franklin watched him dumbfoundedly. 'How can someone's mood change so fast?' He thought.